"Pomp & Circumstance" Gowns & Mortarboards Students & Prayer?

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May 1, 2009
"Pomp & Circumstance"
Gowns & Mortarboards
Students & Prayer?

Graduation ceremonies should welcome all.


All students should feel welcome at their graduation. It is a time to celebrate each student's accomplishments, regardless of their religious beliefs. Unfortunately, there are always some school districts that violate church-state separation in their graduation ceremonies.

Last year, the New York Times ran a story about a graduation ceremony in Delaware, where a minister told the students that Jesus was the only way to the truth.

And this year, Americans United has filed a suit to block a Wisconsin public school district from holding graduation ceremonies in the sanctuary of an evangelical church. If you have friends or family members who will be graduating from a public high school this spring, please take a moment to find out about the ceremony.

Report suspect religious/public school events here.


Remember to specify or include:
Date of graduation
School - name and location
Graduation venue (with specific details about any visible religious iconography)
Prayer giver's name, position, and place within the program schedule
Copies of graduation programs
Info about past history of prayer and/or venue
Plans to attend the graduation ceremony

Report suspect religious/public school events here.


Too often, students are forced to decide whether to a) attend their graduation and listen to religious message to which they do not agree or b) skip their graduation and miss this important moment in their lives and the lives of their friends. That is not a choice any student should have to make.
~AU Field Department

For more information on how to get involved, please contact our Field Department.
Call (202)466-3234 or email auactivist@au.org.

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© 2009 Americans United for Separation of Church and State